Puppy Sleeping Habits

[Caro]

My late Mr D would try to get me out of bed as early as he could - the reason why, BREAKFAST! He wanted to be fed earlier and earlier! The cats will do the same thing if they can. With the new additions we don't eat first thing in the morning. I take them out to toilet and then do other things like sit at the computer, might even have a shower, then I feed them. No fixed order and that way they aren't demanding food. The cats however, I've never been able to train that demanding out of them, but I think that's a cat's nature.

 

[Claire Schachtschneider]

Just to be clear, Minnie is definitely not spoiled

She jumps up in my bed at about 7 and if I am not awake,
then comes the most gentle soft little paw on my arm

I turn around and then she lies on my stomach and says good morning.
After this we just have to look out the window.

I could never bring myself to go to bed again

Instead we do the morning routine, she gets food
I get food / coffee in the living room.

She lies down to sleep for about 1-1½ hours on the couch
and I'm taking my PC until Minnie comes to say:
"now it's time to the morning walk"

But then it is definitely me - who decides what we do for the rest of the day

Claire - So unfortunately probably a bad advice, but it works

Sounds like you and Minnie have created a nice schedule that works for you both! My previous sheltie, Spencer, used to love to cuddle and never wanted to get up for her walk... meanwhile I now have the complete opposite lifestyle! I know not many people like their dogs to sleep in bed with them, but Finley seems to feel safest up on the bed with me. I think I've finally started to figure out that I can take her out for a quick potty break in the morning and then bring her back to bed with me for an hour or two.. It's not perfect yet but she at least fusses less than when I go back to bed when she's somewhere else in the house. She walks around on the bed but settles down and lets me get extra rest. Fingers crossed she lets me continue this routine haha!

 

[Claire Schachtschneider]

My late Mr D would try to get me out of bed as early as he could - the reason why, BREAKFAST! He wanted to be fed earlier and earlier! The cats will do the same thing if they can. With the new additions we don't eat first thing in the morning. I take them out to toilet and then do other things like sit at the computer, might even have a shower, then I feed them. No fixed order and that way they aren't demanding food. The cats however, I've never been able to train that demanding out of them, but I think that's a cat's nature.

Ahh yes Finley is very food motivated in the morning as well! I've had dogs and cats at the same time, but Finley is the first only child... it definitely has changed the game and I'd say she's a little extra spoiled. Luckily, I don't have a barker without the influence of siblings!

 

[Claire Schachtschneider]

You said it, Claire...Shelties are creatures of habit and wicked smart at establishing the ones they want. Finley is training you! She’d like your attention when you’d like to sleep. She will continue to push you as long as you respond. As long as she’s been out and you know it’s not a potty issue, I’m guessing she wants to play and not sleep. When my Ruffles was a puppy we started at 6 am and worked our way back earlier than 5 before I figured it out.

If you crate her to sleep or put her in a pen, you just have to ignore her. It’s tough, but after a few days she’ll give in. Make her wait a few minutes longer each day until she’s on your schedule. Hang in there!

Very true! I've had great luck with her training so far, but this is the first time she is really pushing to train me... I think I'm starting to compromise with her so that she doesn't bark/squeal/whine insanely (my poor neighbors!) We get up for a potty break and then back to bed long enough for me to rest before work. I'm hoping with age she will be less intense about her morning routine like my previous sheltie!

 

[Hanne]

I know not many people like their dogs to sleep in bed with them

Claire - I would love if Minnie would lie in my bed,
she would rather lie on her pillow next to my bed.

Here in my country it is very normal with our dogs in the bed,
and very rarely cages are used
(I know no one who does)